Are you thinking of taking a trip? Have you considered travelling solo?
When many people imagine travelling, they imagine doing so with friends, family or other such companions. Travelling solo is something many people wouldn’t even have considered in the past. However, the trend is becoming more and more popular as more people discover the many benefits of travelling alone.
What is solo travelling and why is the trend growing?
Solo travelling means getting away on your own. It means spending a significant amount of time away from your friends, family and acquaintances. You will be able to gain more “me time”.
While you will be away from people you are familiar with, you won’t be lonely or alone. In fact, travelling alone opens up more opportunities to meet new people and truly experience new cultures.
10 Reasons to travel solo
Isn’t it lonely travelling alone?
If you mention that you’re planning a solo trip, there’s a good chance you’ll receive a lot of backlash from friends and family. The thought of travelling solo inspires fear in many people. They’re concerned about feeling lonely or not being safe while in unfamiliar territory.
However. travelling solo can be an incredible experience. Many who have tried it have even described it as a life-changing experience. If you listen to the naysayers, you may miss out on a great opportunity to:
1. Travel on your own terms
Travelling solo is an opportunity to travel on your own terms. It’s an opportunity to be selfish and focus on you for a change. You plan your trip the way you want it and do what you want when you want. You don’t have to consult with anyone else or consider their input or worry about what others are thinking.
Want to spend the entire trip lying on the beach and staring at the ocean? Want to try the local cuisine? Want to trek through wild bush and explore ancient ruins? The only thing that can stop you from having the holiday you want is you.
2. Get out of your comfort zone
Are you looking for an opportunity to step out of your comfort zone? Travelling solo will challenge your limits and have you stepping out of your comfort zone. You will not only have to get out of your daily routine but will face challenges on your solo trip that will force you to overcome your fear.
Remember that travelling alone means that you will only have yourself to depend on. You will be forced to grow. You can’t turn to your friends or family to help you make decisions. You will be challenged to take responsibility for your decisions and actions.
3. Meet new people
Many people worry about being lonely when they travel solo. However, the opposite is true. Travelling solo will give you an opportunity to meet new people. You will be forced to interact with people you meet on your travels as you will not have friends or family to interact with on your travels.
Travelling solo is becoming more popular. There are thousands of people around the world travelling solo every day. Odds are that you’ll return home having made a few new friends.
4. Increase your self-confidence and become more self-reliant
“I did it!”.
Travelling alone will expose you to unpredictable experiences and unexpected events. You will have to come up with solutions on your own to get out of tight spots. You will learn more about yourself and develop new skills.
You don’t really know the extent of your own capabilities until you are put to the test. Travelling solo will force you to handle everything that life throws at you. It will build your self-reliance and self-confidence.
5. Immerse yourself in a new culture
Travelling with companions can be lots of fun. However, there’s a good chance that you won’t interact much with the local people or experience their culture. Travelling solo removes the safety net that most people have. You will be immersed in the culture of the area and get to interact with the people. This will help change your perspective on life.
6. Learn to be comfortable in your own skin
There are so many distractions in modern life and little time for self-reflection. Travelling solo will not only help you to learn more about yourself but help you become more comfortable in your own skin. Being alone day and night will teach you how to embrace who you are. You will learn to appreciate being alone without feeling lonely.
7. Learn to put yourself out there
Travelling without companions means you will have to seek new connections in order to have companionship while on your trip. Travelling solo will force you to put yourself out there to meet new people, try new things and have new experiences. You will learn to seek out things you love without being influenced by other people.
8. Learn to appreciate your own view of life
There’s a good chance that your view of life has been influenced by those around you. Getting out on your own will help you to experience life on your own for a while. You will no longer be under the influence of your family and friends. It is a great first step to learning to view life without the influence of others.
9. Find inner peace
Singapore is one of the most stressful countries in the world. With a workaholic culture and a competitive environment, many Singaporeans and foreigners are not getting enough rest or “me time”.
With solo travelling, you can take a break from it all. You can take time to truly rest. You can detox from technology and enjoy time away without distractions or conversation with companions. You can truly have peace of mind and recharge.
10. Make new memories and have stories to tell
You can create new memories and have new stories to share with loved ones about your experiences. The memories you’ll make travelling solo are memories you will cherish for your lifetime. You made time for yourself and have wonderful stories to share with your loved ones as a result.
Tips for travelling solo
Going on your first solo trip can be daunting. These tips ought to help make the experience one can look forward to.
1. Buy travel insurance
This is especially important when travelling solo. While you should always hope for a wonderful trip, anything can happen while you’re travelling. Travel insurance will cover the costs of any unfortunate event that may occur before you fly or while you’re travelling. For example, your insurance will cover your hospital stay in case of an accident or illness that results in hospitalization while on holiday.
Sometimes, one might need extra funds for their trip. In order to fully enjoy the trip, individuals can choose to take on vacation loans in order to cater for all the expenses. As a rule of thumb, it is important to look at the loan term, interest rate and hidden fees when getting a loan. Make sure to ask around different financial organizations before settling on one.
2. Determine how to stay in touch
While travelling solo means getting away from your friends and family for a while, it doesn’t mean cutting all communication. In fact, it’s advisable to have a strategy to stay in touch with loved ones while travelling. Figure out how you will be getting your wifi or mobile data.
Check in with family or friends while on your trip to let them know how you’re doing. It’s also a great way to avoid becoming homesick for first-time solo travellers.
3. Pack light
This is best in order to be able to handle all your luggage on your own. Don’t count on getting help with your luggage while on your trip.
4. Research your destination
Learn as much about your destination as you can. Are there areas that you should avoid? What is the local culture like? Are there cultural practices that you should be aware of?
5. Adapt as well as you can
Do your best to adapt to the local culture. Try not to stand out, e.g. don’t show off flashy jewellery or expensive electronics. This could make you a target for the wrong kind of people. If you’re unsure about something, ask for help from your host, the local authorities or an employee of a local business. Learn some common phrases in the local language.
If travelling solo is your dream, you should go ahead and do it. Whether it turns out to be a life-changing experience or not, you won’t regret having taken the plunge!
